Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed...
Liberals hold six-point lead over Conservatives: Leger poll
A new poll suggests that the federal Liberals are widening their lead over the Conservatives. The poll, conducted by Leger for The Canadian Press, suggests that 44 per cent of decided voters will vote Liberal in the upcoming election. That's compared to 38 per cent who say they'll vote Conservative. The poll was conducted over the weekend and shows a two-point jump for the Liberals since last week and a one-point drop for the Conservatives.
Quebec to table budget amid U.S. tariff threats
Quebec's finance minister is set to table a budget today with a focus on shoring up businesses and workers as U.S. tariff threats continue to sow economic turmoil. Eric Girard has confirmed the budget for the coming fiscal year will include a projected deficit of more than $11 billion, surpassing the record set last year. Premier François Legault has said the budget will include funding for the province's investment arm — Investissement Québec — as well as newly announced loan programs for businesses threatened by U.S. tariffs.
Here's what else we're watching...
Longtime Alberta NDP MLA is resigning seat
A longtime Alberta New Democrat member of the legislature is resigning his seat, sparking what will be the third provincial byelection in Alberta since the 2023 provincial vote. Rod Loyola was first elected in 2015, and won his third term representing the Edmonton-Ellerslie riding two years ago. The Alberta Speaker's office says Loyola's resignation is to officially take effect Tuesday. The resignation comes after former Alberta NDP leader Rachel Notley stepped down in December, paving the way for new leader Naheed Nenshi to run in a byelection in Edmonton-Strathcona that has yet to be called.
Report finds flaws in nurse recruitment program
An internal report outlines major problems with a Quebec government program to recruit foreign nurses to the province. The report from the province's Immigration Department says the recruits faced a lack of housing, child care and transportation upon arriving in Quebec. The nurses also dealt with severe stress due to the intensive training schedule, culture shock and a fear of failure. The $65-million program aims to bring 1,500 foreign nurses to Quebec by 2028 to work in regions of the province with acute nursing shortages.
BC Ferries had no role in sick passengers
BC Ferries says it has nothing to do with a medical incident that left six passengers sickened, including two who had to be taken to hospital. The incident occurred Saturday on an afternoon sailing preparing to leave from Swartz Bay for Tsawwassen when six people were ill in a stairwell and required medical attention. Sonia Lowe, a spokeswoman from BC Ferries, says B.C. Emergency Health Services is best positioned to speak to the cause of the sickness, but they can confirm "it did not involve BC Ferries’ property, infrastructure or operations."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 25, 2025.
The Canadian Press
